Jan 16, 2015

Five Things in my Running Bag | Friday Five

Another Friday is here. The week has flown by, being a pretty crazy and busy time at work and home. The topic for this week's Friday Five linkup is gym bags. I haven't really been going to they gym lately, so that bag is fairly empty. That will be changing, as the weather has been "less than hospitable" lately, so it will return to a state more like this past post. Instead, I have a drawstring bag I keep in the closet with a lot of stuff I have for running and race. So instead, this week's topic is


Five Things in my Running Bag

1. BondiBands

This is an item I love for running. I first started using one when I won a BondiBand from a giveaway. It immediately solved a problem that I was at that time searching for a solution. It keeps the sweat out of my eyes without being hot on my head. While it's most beneficial anytime it's warm, I still wear them often in the winter as well.

2. ArmPocket

This item is very important on my runs. I picked this up at the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend expo last year. I was in the market for a new phone armband because my current one did not stay secure on my arm. The ArmPocket does more than just hold my phone; It can hold my phone, ID, credit card, cash key as well as a GU without breaking a sweat. It stays secure on my arm without any issue, is durable, and fits my phone perfectly. It was well worth the investment. If you're frustrated with your current armband, I suggest giving them a look.

3. Nuun Hydration


Nuun is something I drink after every run. Training or race, it doesn't matter. Nuun Active Hydration provides you with a fast-absorbing electrolytes blend to get you rehydrated mixed with great flavor and without any of the unnecessary sugar. I personally prefer the extra boost of Nuun Energy, which is the same electrolytes as Nuun Active Hydration elevated withf caffeine. I also recently started drinking Nuun All Day. The all day variety gives you a mix of vitamins and a great flavor to mix up your day to taste better than just plain water. All 3 are a vital part of my every day and training.

4. Illumination


Safety is of utmost importance when running. With winter upon us, the days are shorter which means if you're running outside, it's more than likely dark out. I prefer to run in the morning, which is definitely dark. That means being seen is important. For the dark, that means light it up. I have an assortment of items in my bag to keep myself lit up and seen. I have to say one of my new favorites is a Christmas gift from this year: LED slap bracelets.

5. RoadID


As I just stated, in case you forgot, safety is of utmost importance when running. Every time I run, day or night, my right wrists is wrapped in my RoadID. It's an item every runner, cyclist or active person should have. You can list emergency numbers, allergies and other important information should the unthinkable happen. I've written a previous post all about why you should already have a RoadID.

Linking Up

Check here for some links out to others sharing, staring with our three lovely hosts: CourtneyCynthia and Mar. Check their posts (Eat Pray Run DC, You Signed Up for What?! and Mar on the Run to see the full set of links). I will add some others, usually randomly, as I read them to share the love. Go visit and keep reading!


Our hosts:

You Signed Up for What?!

Mar on the Run

Eat, Pray, Run DC


Some other good reads, pulled from the link up:

Pam and Christine @ We Run Disney

Janelle @ Run With No Regrets

Amy @ Will Run For Ice Cream

29 comments:

  1. Nice list! I haven't tried Bondibands yet, those look nice! Nuun is great!

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    1. They're great. I won one, they're fantastic and pretty cheap so now I have a bunch of different ones (though forgot to take a picture this morning to add to the post).

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  2. I am also a huge fan of safety items and gave little Nathan lights to a few girls in my running group for Christmas. The Nuun holiday class is really nice, I opted for the water bottle this year. I can't wait to get my hands on their water bottle during the Boston Marathon expo!

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    1. Yeah, I have a couple of different clip on lights, though I really should invest in a head lamps I think sometimes. Most of the road has good street lights, though lately, one or two have been out.

      The bottle was nice, I just never got around to ordering before the promotion switched to the glass. Though I got the Nuun Energy sampler that comes with a bottle, so it all worked out.

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  3. Nice Nuun pint glass... now I wish I put in an order during the holidays. I love my Nuun NYC bottle from the expo.

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    1. The pint glass was a nice addition. I had no idea they do special bottles for big expos like that. I havent been at any big races like that before, so that's awesome. When I finally do one of them, I'll look forward to those too.

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  4. I love the road ID and never go on a run without mine. Fun post to do this week. Happy Friday

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    1. The RoadID is a must. They're breadcrumbs app they launched recently is really nice too. I can set it up to send my wife a text or email and she can then track me in real time, it can be set up to give alerts if you're stationary too long and set a time limit to alert them as well. It works pretty well. And it's completely free.

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  5. Great essentials! I got hooked on Nuun last summer.

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    1. I used to buy the huge Gatorade powder from BJs to mix up after runs and after giving Nuun a try I was hooked. So much better and it just feels lighter, if that makes any sense. I really like the Nuun All Day. Been drinking that instead of a soda in the middle of my day at work. Though what I really could use is a Nuun All Day Energy. I'm a developer though, so I could always go for caffeine, haha.

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  6. Your LED lights look great...I have a belt that I use but I still think I need better visibility. I've never had Nuun, seems everyone loves it! And you gotta have a RoadID!

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    1. The slap bands are pretty good. They do solid or two flash settings and I tried them out with one on my wrist and one on my ankle and had no problems on either.

      I love Nuun. So much that I applied and now run for Team Nuun

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  7. RoadID - YES! Such a great item to have; I didn't even think to put that on my list. I like your reflective light thingies you've posted; I can never have enough blinking lights and reflective pieces on my body - ha! Hope you have a great weekend, John!

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    1. Thanks. Need to be seen. And let's be honest, they're fun too. Have a great one toi;!

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  8. i have been really bad about wearing my road id lately. ack. thanks for the reminder!!

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  9. My RoadID (slim, interactive) is on my wrist 24/7, same with my husband.

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    1. Your husband is on your wrist 24x7? Wow. ;-)

      That's a pretty cool idea though. Anything could happen anytime.

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  10. I have never tried Nuun energy. Does it really give you the boost you need? I recently just won an all dat Nuun giveaway so now I can stay hydrated all day with it:) -L

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    1. I notice something more than the regular Nuun. Its not a ton of caffeine (at least not for me), but does help. Good for prehydrating for an early race when I inevitably didn't hydrate enough the day / night before. Gives me an extra bounce and shake the early morning haze.

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    2. Very cool on the Nuun All Day. I'm really enjoying drinking that during the day. It's been a good change for me.

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  11. Love the bondi bands too! Got me through the Chicago marathon last fall...

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    1. They were fantastic all summer but good even now. Havent really looked into their other products, though I know they make other stuff.

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  12. Great list! I never ever run without my RoadID. It's nice having peace of mind when I go out. I haven't tried Nuun All Day or Energy yet.

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    1. The Nuun All Day is really growing on me. Enough that I have some more ordered on the way.

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    1. Need to be safe out there. Hope you're having a great weekend.

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  14. Great list!!! I have been wanting to check out the arm pocket since I need something for when I can't shove my phone in a jacket pocket while running.

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    1. I really like it. It works out really great to be able to carry a surprising amount. I actually also clip a Gymboss timer to it as well and a clip light when its dark.

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